Meet the 14 stone Miss Burlesque UK who is ‘flying the flag for bigger women’

Charlene Taylor is a 26-year-old dancer who was recently crowned Miss Burlesque UK.

She also happens to be a size 16 and weighs 14 stone.

Miss Taylor, who goes by the stage name Chazabelle Royale, says she started dance classes in 2013 after her confidence took a hit following a bad relationship.

She admits that at first she thought burlesque dancing was just for ‘skinny girls’, however found that her confidence grew with her dancing and she began to love the way her body looked.

Charlene performing her burlesque routine (Picture: SWNS)

Curvy Charlene, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, said: ‘At first I felt nervous about donning racy lingerie to dance in front of strangers, but as my confidence grew I couldn’t wait to get up on stage.’

She has praised the support of the other dancers, saying: ‘The other girls made me feel at ease even though they had much better figures than me.’

After beating 50 other girls to win Miss Burlesque UK in October 2013, Charlene, who now works as a full time burlesque dancer, wants to change how ‘sexy’ is perceived by other women.